On a whim John Purcell, The Booktopia Book Guru, asked the twittersphere and facebookland what they thought were the ‘must read’ Australian novels. In a matter of hours hundreds of titles were suggested. He then made a long list of these offerings and asked the world to vote for their favourites. A fellow on twitter suggested he allow one title per author, to ensure the list wasn’t swamped by Wintons, Careys, McCulloughs and Courtenays. The title which received the most votes would be that author’s single listing. Purcell thought this a good idea. (Tim Winton would have swallowed up the Top Ten otherwise. Good on ya, Timmo.)

So here it is, the Top 10. Let us know what you think? Do you agree or have we missed a great Australian novel? Click here for the full list.

1.Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
2. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
5. My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
6. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
7. My Brother Jack – by George Johnston
8. The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
9. The Harp in the South by Ruth Park
10. The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead